I am having some fun with a SIS730 card trying to get 3d acceleration to work.
Basically it goes like: compile kernel - make xf86config file - modify xf86config file.
Problem is not that it crashes after reboot - thats expected - but how it "crashes". I use kdm for login - that isn't there anymore. If i login as root i can startx. As user it wont startx. Reconfiguring kdm or xdm doesn't do anything at all.
When i use the backupfile for xf86config and copy it in there i have the same problem.
I have to do xf86config to get things back to normal - the file that is created there is identical to the backup!!

I notice from the XFree86 website the SiS730 isn't listed as supported.
My experiences are that if XFree86 won't start, it tries to use a default setting, maybe for stability/safety etc, but you lose all ability to start X.
There is also a newer configuration tool I found documented with XFree86 4.0
"The next step is to configure the X server. That is covered in detail in an as-yet unwritten document :-(. In the meantime, there are three ways to create a basic X server configuration file for XFree86 4.2.0. One is to run the xf86config utility. Another is to run the xf86cfg utility. The third option is to use the new -configure X server option:
XFree86 -configure "

Regards,
Peter

Thanks Peter,
I get the SIS 730 to work alright - but i try to get 3D acceleration going which is definitely not supported by the stock xfree86. I use a different driver for the card than the one included with xfree. BTW - the driver works a lot better on regular display.
But when i modify the xfconfig file for 3D acceleration i cant log into x as a user - only as root and only in kde. I use kdm as login manager; that seems to get screwed up. Tried xdm - gets screwed up too. I am going to get this sucker.

Ok, got 3D acceleration working with the SIS730 at a mindblowing framerate. And they said i was crazy.

I could use the XF86Config file , please , i am haveing a sis730 , and ca't get the open gl to work , so i could use some hints . thanks

That box is at the moment unfortunately gutted and 6000 miles away.

From what I recall it is always a good idea to use the latest version of xfree available and go by what is at http:www.winischhofer.net (go to 'linux and sis vga chipsets -> installation instructions)

By any means get some cheap nvidia card if possible.

thanks for the help , i tried the page you gave me but i am not sattisfied with the results . I seem to be working better ( a lot better ) under windoze ... i' keep trying . thnaks anyway

I could use that config file ... so if you can retrieve it i would be gratefull . I read everything on the site you have pointed , but i still can't make it to work . It's a tregedy ! .

Sorry - you are one day late.I just left home (thats where the machine is) and ain't going to be back there for about 3 month either.
Probably best if you open a new thread with;

your distro
your xfree version
your kernel version
the driver being used and
a description of the problem.Post the xfree log in /var/log if necessary - only the lines marked 'W' or 'E' should do.